Ministry of Education Strengthens Children's Reading Interest to Support PP Tunas Implementation
Jakarta — The Language Development and Coaching Agency (Badan Bahasa) of the Ministry of Education and Culture is enhancing children’s reading interest whilst simultaneously supporting the implementation of PP Tunas through the strengthening of the “Mudik Asyik Baca Buku” (MABB) programme, which provides thousands of free children’s books.
Minister of Education and Culture Abdul Mu’ti stated that the strengthening of this annual programme is evident through an increase in the number of children’s books being distributed as well as an expansion of distribution locations this year.
“Although this is a routine programme, we are genuinely committed to encouraging children to develop a reading habit from an early age. This year, we have strengthened it by distributing 24,000 books for free, more than last year’s 20,000 books. Hopefully, they will not become dependent on devices and will instead develop the habit of socialising and spending their time reading books,” said Minister Mu’ti after opening the 2026 MABB activity at Pasar Senen Station in Jakarta on Monday.
Furthermore, he stated that the increase in the number of free children’s books in public spaces is also one of the Ministry’s efforts to reduce children’s dependency on device usage, particularly during out-of-school learning periods around Eid.
He added that the Ministry is also prepared to encourage schools and parents to help pupils practise writing simple sentences from an early age so that pupils can later write down their observations and retell the books they have read.
“This is also in line with our efforts to ensure that children hold more books than devices,” said Mu’ti.
On the same occasion, Head of the Language Agency Hafidz Muksin stated that the coverage of MABB locations has been expanded to nine points this year: Pasar Senen Station, Gambir Station, Kalideres Terminal, Kampung Rambutan Terminal, Pulo Gebang Terminal, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Tanjung Priok Port, Merak Port (Banten), and Pakupatan Terminal in Serang, Banten.
“The Mudik Asyik Baca Buku programme is a manifestation of the participation of various parties in strengthening public literacy. Through this activity, the Language Agency provides 24,000 quality reading books for free to travellers, particularly children,” said Hafidz.
He further stated that the books provided are attractive and educational children’s literature.
The agency hopes that the presence of these books will provide a useful entertainment alternative for children during their homecoming journey so they are not dependent on entertainment provided through devices.
Previously, the Government, through the Ministry of Communication and Digital Regulation Number 9 of 2026, issued a policy restricting social media for children under 16 years old.
This policy is an implementing regulation of Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 concerning the Governance of Electronic System Operations in Child Protection (PP Tunas).
The implementation of the social media restriction policy for children under 16 years old will apply to YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X and others, and will be implemented in stages beginning on 28 March 2026.